Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried, once a pivotal figure in the cryptocurrency industry, was convicted in November 2023 of committing fraud and conspiracy for stealing billions of dollars of money belonging to customers of his FTX crypto exchange, funneling the money to Alameda Research, his hedge fund. FTX had been one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges before its demise, a major player in derivatives trading including perpetual futures. The company's undoing was spurred by a CoinDesk scoop in November 2022 showing Alameda's balance sheet was mysteriously full of the FTT token issued by FTX – calling into question both Alameda and FTX's financial stability. The Bahamas-based company filed for bankruptcy nine days after the story. Before his downfall, SBF (as the former billionaire is commonly known as) had been a leading figure in crypto, pushing for regulation of the industry in the U.S. He was a major political donor and the public face of effective altruism, a movement geared toward maximizing the amount of good done by philanthropy. SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering. His trial began in October 2023, and he was convicted on Nov. 2, 2023, a year to the day after the CoinDesk story that caused his crypto empire to crumble.

Opinion

Who Are Sam Bankman-Fried's Politically Connected 'Wealthy Co-Conspirators'?

The FTX founder is accused of violating campaign financing laws by making illegal campaign contributions totaling “tens of millions of dollars" through "straw donors."

By James A. MurphyJan 4, 2023

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announcing the Department of Justice's charges against Sam Bankman-Fried (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Podcasts

SBF Pleads Not Guilty; Trial Set for October

By Nathaniel WhittemoreJan 4, 2023

Videos

Judge Sets Tentative Trial Date for Sam Bankman-Fried in October

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty to eight different counts, including wire fraud and campaign-finance violations on Tuesday, is expected to go to trial in early October, according to plans made by the U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York. "The Hash" panel discusses the legal road ahead for the disgraced crypto exchange founder.

Jan 4, 2023

Opinion

Why Did Sam Bankman-Fried Plead Not Guilty?

The disgraced FTX and Alameda Research founder may simply be so deluded he actually thinks he's innocent - despite a mountain of evidence.

By David Z. MorrisJan 4, 2023

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has plead not guilty to eight criminal charges. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Videos

Bahamas-FTX Dispute Heats Up as Bankman-Fried Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ to Fraud Charges

A dispute between FTX’s new U.S. owners and regulators in the Bahamas has worsened as the two prepare to take their case to a full court hearing later this week. 507 Capital managing partner Thomas Braziel breaks down the jurisdictional battle between FTX and Bahamian entity FTX Digital Markets in the latest developments around the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto empire.

Jan 4, 2023

Markets

First Mover Americas: Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for Jan. 4, 2023.

By Lyllah Ledesma, Omkar GodboleJan 4, 2023

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Will Go to Trial in October, Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud Charges

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, accused on eight different counts, including wire fraud and campaign finance violations, pleaded not guilty to all charges at the opening of a Tuesday court hearing. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's white-collar crime specialist Mark Kasten joins "All About Bitcoin" to discuss the latest legal developments.

Jan 3, 2023

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Makes NY Court Appearance as Bahamas-FTX Dispute Heats Up

Sam Bankman-Fried made his second appearance in a New York courthouse on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include allegations of wire fraud and campaign finance violations. Plus, U.S. and Bahamian liquidators continue to sling mud as they fight for jurisdiction over the disgraced CEO’s company.

Jan 3, 2023

Finance